20150930 NOISE, GET OUT!

NOISE, GET OUT!

Matthew 9:23-26 When Jesus arrived at the official's home, He saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music.  (24)  "Get out!" He told them. "The girl isn't dead; she's only asleep." But the crowd laughed at Him.  (25)  After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up!  (26)  The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.

Noise. There is so much of it in our daily lives and then if you add in a tragedy the well-meaning often only add to the cacophony. Though we are commanded not to grieve as those with no hope, even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. He drew away to a quiet place upon hearing of the death of John the Baptist. And here His command to the noise and the bringers of it is to "Get out!" And then He explains that they are mistaken about what has taken place. Though the girl was physically dead, The Resurrection and The Life had arrived and He would awaken her.

The crowd did what it does. It mocks at God, at His existence, at His power, at the possibility of life after death. Their mockery does not deter Him.  He raised her up. This could not be hid and the word of it spread through the entire countryside.

Miracles often take place in the silence. They are often missed because of all the other noise. Even Elijah heard the voice of God as a still small voice. Is it time for you to stop the noise for a while? Do you take time for silence? Are you ever away from Facebook, text messages, Twitter and the like? Shut it down. Be still. Tell your heavenly Father what you need and wait, and listen.

Father in heaven, help us tell the noise to get out. Show us the importance of the silence and when we take time to seek You please manifest Your presence clearly to us. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!! 

20150821 WORRY

WORRY

Matthew 6:25-34 "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  (26)  Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to Him than they are?  (27)  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  (28)  "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, (29) yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  (30)  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?  (31)  "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?'  (32)  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  (33)  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.  (34)  "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Worry is the opposite of faith and when we worry we show that we do not know how much our Heavenly Father loves us. 1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.

Romans 14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Life is so much more than the sum of our daily necessities. Science teaches us that worry does quite the opposite of adding to our lives. It shortens our lives. Worry causes us to lose sleep, drives up our blood pressure, causes strokes and heart disease. This is only the beginning of the physical problems it causes. Now, some of you reading this will begin to worry that worrying is going to kill you. Don’t do that. Stop right now and take a deep breath.

Your Heavenly Father already knows what you need. Change your focus. Think differently. Seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. In other words make your aim in life to live a Kingdom life right now. In this Sermon on the Mount we’ve been studying, Jesus is telling us how to live the Kingdom life and how to live in righteousness. So today, when you start worrying about the next bill that is due, stop, take a breath and start looking for ways to live the Kingdom life. Yes, you may ask God to meet that need. Jesus told us to pray for our daily bread. Then give thanks for what you have and begin looking for ways to bless others.

Father in Heaven, Thank You for the blessings of Your Word. Thank You for Your provision in our lives this day. Remind us how much You love us. Do not let us forget and help us as we walk out the Kingdom life today. May we be found faithful in trusting You, loving You and loving others. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!